Lateral ankle fusion plate system and jig, and method for use therewith

Abstract

The invention comprises a lateral ankle fusion plate, a jig for use with the fusion plate and a method for ankle fusion of the joints between the tibia, the talus, and the calcaneus. In addition, a separate fusion screw from posterior to anterior through the calcaneal tuberosity into the distal tibia is useful and can be placed using the targeting jig of the invention. The plate includes a C-shaped stirrup portion that wraps the bottom of the calcaneus and is provided with a screw hole for a T-T-C-fusion screw. A C-shaped targeting jig is provided that interfaces with the plate to allow for placement of the calcaneal screw and has an additional attachment for placement of the independent fusion screw so as to avoid impingement with the plate, and plate screws. The invention also relates to a method of surgery that incorporates the use of the plate, the jig and the tibial / talar / calcaneal fusion screw for an arthrodesis of the ankle joint.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates to an invention which involves an ankle fusion plate system, a jig for use with the fusion plate system and a method for ankle fusion, i.e. arthrodesis, where the joints between the tibia, the talus, and the calcaneus of a human patient can be immobilized using a lateral implant alone, or in combination with a separate fusion screw from posterior to anterior through the calcaneal tuberosity into the distal tibia. The plate includes a C-shaped stirrup portion that wraps the bottom of the calcaneus and is provided with a screw hole for the placement of a relatively vertical screw (i.e., relative to the lower leg, i.e., in the sagittal plane from inferior to superior) through the articular capsule of the talocalcaneal joint and the tibiotalar joint and which secures the calcaneus, the talus and the tibia together. An independent 50-100 mm fusion screw can be used with the lateral plate to augment the immobilization by multiplan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure provides a system for ankle fusion that improves upon the short-comings of the prior art. The system includes a lateral T-T-C fusion plate system that is easy to implant, avoids congested areas of ligament and tendon involvement, and results in reliable bone fusion. The system also includes a C-shaped targeting jig that facilitates the placement of the calcaneal fusion screw and which can be pivoted to allow an independent posterior screw to be angled in the T-T-C joint so as to avoid impingement with the fastener screws. Overall, the system and method of the present disclosure make it possible to perform arthrodesis under good operating conditions while also making it possible to obtain bone fusion that is particularly stable, strong, precise, and comfortable for the patient.

Problems solved by technology

While such devices exist, each is lacking in providing one or more of the desired precision, stability, fixation, or relative ease of implantation that an orthopedic surgeon desires for such a device.

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